Pridmore Bookmakers & Chatsworth Road
I took this photo of the former Blanks DIY shop - oh, the pots I've emulsion I bought there! - in Chatsworth Road almost a month ago. I noticed the other day that nothing's changed. You'll recall that the Brentwood-based bookmaking company Pridmore have bought the property with a view to opening a betting shop there. There has been opposition from some residents and from the Council, which is unhappy about the bookie-boom in Hackney generally - a subject I address here.
Why the lack of action? I contacted Pridmore who've just replied to say that the refurbishment is "a little behind schedule" but that the shop should be in business "in time for Christmas." They claim they have "a great deal of local support" and are looking forward to opening. Meanwhile, I await word from Cllr Nicholson, cabinet member for regeneration and 2012. In April he wrote a letter to the Gazette in which he said that he'd be looking at new powers granted to local authorities under the Gambling Act (2005) - which came into force on 1st September - to see if they give any grounds for councils to prevent premises being used for gambling. Has he found any? Watch this space.
You know, I take it, that the builders supposedly screwed up and did some structural damage soon after they started? I don't know how it affected the flats above, but I'm guessing that sorting that out is what's causing the delay.
Posted by: Martin McCallion | October 29, 2007 at 01:28 PM